Dinosaur Proteins: Immortal or Not?

1. Sermons From Science -- Jan 2018科学布道-- 2018年1月 Sermons from Science have been published in both YouTube under the name “Pastor Chui” and their PowerPoint slides and corresponding videos in the website http://ChristCenterGospel.org since 2011. Just type “Pastor Chui” in Google Search. The contents of this presentation were taken from different sources and in the Internet. May God have all the glory. Pastor Chui http://ChristCenterGospel.org ckchui1@yahoo.com 1/1/2020 1

2. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • The Answers in Genesis website published the article written by Dr. Kevin Anderson on December 15, 2017. I now quote his article below: • “Abstract • “Fragments of various animal proteins have been found in several different dinosaur fossils. Results of experimental decay studies clearly indicate that even small fragments of these proteins will not survive for millions of years. Critical challenges to this experimental evidence fail to adequately address known protein biochemistry. Instead, the persistence of these proteins continues to present a significant conflict with the assigned ages of dinosaur fossils. 1/1/2020 2

3. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “At-a-Glance • “Fragments of proteins persist in dinosaur fossils. • “Degradation studies contradict claims that proteins survive for millions of years. • “Criticism of protein degradation studies are based on flawed assumptions. • “Discoveries of significant amounts of pliable dinosaur tissue are even more inexplicable than discoveries of dinosaur proteins. • “Introduction • “The presence of tissue, cells, and proteins still remaining in dinosaur fossils poses a direct biochemical challenge to the standard geologic dating paradigm.1 How could bones dated at over 65 million years old still contain pliable tissue and fragments of proteins? The examples of preserved dinosaur tissue continue to grow, and the conflict with evolutionary-biased dating schemes is becoming increasingly insurmountable. 1/1/2020 3

4. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “As part of ongoing research in this field, fragments of several different types of proteins have been detected in various dinosaur fossils. The most frequently detected protein is collagen,2 a common protein in all animal bone. While the structure of collagen makes it more resistant to degradation than most other proteins, it will still degrade in a predictable manner. As I described in a previous article,3 biochemical decay studies demonstrate that even under ideal conditions detectable levels of collagen do not survive much longer than about one million years. 1/1/2020 4

5. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ 1/1/2020 5

6. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “Dr. Fazale Rana has challenged that these studies fail to accurately predict the decay rate of dinosaur collagen.4 He argues that because collagen decay experiments typically use high temperatures, the results are not applicable for the ambient subsurface temperature of a buried fossil. Instead, he suggests that these high temperatures introduce discrepancies into the experiment. • “High temperatures (e.g., 80º C–90º C) are often used in laboratory studies to accelerate collagen’s degradation. Otherwise, at lower temperatures, decay will be considerably slower, likely extending experimental measurements of degradation by months or even years. In turn, the Arrhenius equation is used to convert the decay rates obtained from these high temperatures to rates at lower temperatures.5 Thus, high temperature measurements can be used to predict collagen degradation at ground temperatures. 1/1/2020 6

7. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “Are the Decay Studies Flawed? • “Dr. Rana argues that the decay rates from high temperature studies may not fit within the parameters of the Arrhenius equation. He speculates that how collagen degrades at high temperatures may be chemically different than how it degrades at lower temperatures. He concludes that this difference will introduce errors into the mathematical conversion. This will result in predictions that collagen will degrade faster than it actually degrades in a buried fossil.6 • “Conversions using the Arrhenius equation are common practice in biochemical studies. The temperature dependence of chemical reactions is well established. So, I previously challenged Dr. Rana to provide experimental documentation of his assumption, and not just offer speculation.7 1/1/2020 7

8. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “In response to my challenge, Dr. Rana claims that a 19728 study supports his position.9 He states that this study shows the denaturation temperature for collagen is well below the high temperatures used in degradation experiments. From this he surmises that collagen degrades differently at high temperatures than it does at lower temperatures. Rather, he suggests that denaturation unravels collagen’s triple helix first, thereby changing its structure. Rana speculates that once this structural change happens, collagen will degrade faster than it would degrade in its native, low-temperature structure.10 He concludes that the Arrhenius equation fails to account for this accelerated degradation after collagen has denatured. In other words, he assumes the Arrhenius equation will fail to properly convert the high temperature measurements to appropriate rates for lower temperatures.11 1/1/2020 8

9. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “However, this 1972 study actually provides little experimental basis for Rana’s conclusions. The work does show that the denaturation temperature for some forms of collagen is lower than the 80º C–90º C typically used for degradation experiments. However, the study did not determine the actual rate of collagen degradation at any temperature. • “Rana is suggesting that the “actual” degradation of collagen is at least 247 times slower than the mathematically predicted rate. 1/1/2020 9

10. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “Dr. Rana simply makes the assumption that degradation at lower temperatures will be slower than predicted by the equation. In point of fact, he is assuming that it is considerably slower. Michael Buckley and Matthew Collins have studied collagen degradation for several decades. Based upon their analysis using high temperatures, they calculate the survival of bone collagen at about one million years, even under ideal environmental conditions.12 In contrast, collagen fragments have been found in a reptile fossil that is reportedly 247 million years old.13 According to this comparison, Rana is suggesting that the “actual” degradation of collagen is at least 247 times slower than the mathematically predicted rate. 1/1/2020 10

11. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ 1/1/2020 11

12. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “Moreover, temperatures above collagen’s denaturation point may or may not cause degradation to differ from mathematical predictions. There is simply no current direct data to support Rana’s conclusion. Even if high temperatures do cause collagen to degrade more rapidly than the equation predicts, there is no experimental data supporting such a dramatic difference between “actual” and estimated (i.e., > 24,000% difference). • “Plus, different forms of collagen denature at different temperatures.14 The 1972 study, cited by Rana, used muscle and skin collagen for its analysis. Collagen found in dinosaur fossils is bone collagen (i.e., mineralized collagen), which is more stable at high temperatures and has a far higher denaturation temperature than skin and muscle collagen.15 So, it is unlikely that results from the 1972 study are very applicable to bone collagen, thus neither are Dr. Rana’s conclusions. On the other hand, bone collagen was used as part of Buckley and Collins’s degradation studies,16 which report collagen survival as far less than 65 million years. 1/1/2020 12

13. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “Other Proteins Too • “The arguments presented above have only addressed the persistence of collagen fragments. As I previously discussed,17 portions of other proteins are found in various dinosaur fossils as well. These other proteins, such as actin and tropomyosin, are not nearly as resistant to degradation as collagen. If collagen would likely not survive millions of years, these other proteins are even less likely to survive such a time span. Their presence is further direct biochemical evidence that dinosaur fossils are not millions of years old.18 1/1/2020 13

14. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “In fact, Matthew Collins continues to struggle with the claims of dinosaur protein discoveries. He acknowledges that certain conditions may slow the rate of degradation, “but not by a lot.”19 “Since proteins decay in an orderly fashion,” he considers it very unlikely that any condition “could arrest protein degradation for tens of millions of years.”20 In other words, Dr. Collins knows proteins are far from immortal. Thus, he faces the conundrum of his evolutionist position: protein cannot last millions of years in a buried fossil, but he is unwilling to consider the possibility that the age of these fossils is not millions of years. • “Not surprisingly, as with Collins, many in the evolutionist community are highly reluctant to accept the discovery of any dinosaur protein fragments. The presence of these proteins is simply not consistent with the assigned ages of the bones. In fact, their presence is completely contradictory to these ages. 1/1/2020 14

15. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “Sheets of Original Tissue • “If the persistence of proteins in dinosaur fossils is difficult to explain, then the retention of intact sheets of tissue should be considered even more astonishing. This tissue retains some of its original transparency, elasticity, and reactivity to specific antibodies. Such pliable tissue has been found in numerous dinosaur fossils by several different researchers.21 This tissue represents significant quantities of biological material within these fossils, not just trace amounts of protein fragments. The presumption that these sheets of tissue survived some 65+ million years of exposure to a host of potential environmental encroachments (e.g., ground radiation, microbial attack, and groundwater infiltration) stretches the bounds of biological preservation beyond any reasonable form of reality. It even stretches the bounds of imagination. It certainly stretches the limits of scientific credibility. 1/1/2020 15

16. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ 1/1/2020 16

17. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “Tissue and individual proteins degrade at measurable rates and their use as a “clock” requires no more supposition or conjecture than other geologic dating methods. • “The preservation of dinosaur tissue and protein remains strong direct biochemical evidence that these fossils are not millions of years old. Despite attempts to explain the presence of this biomaterial, there exists no viable explanation for its extensive preservation.22 What is more, other dating methods (such as radiometric measurements) do not automatically trump the relevance of this biomaterial. Tissue and individual proteins degrade at measurable rates and their use as a “clock” requires no more supposition or conjecture than other geologic dating methods. 1/1/2020 17

18. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “Instead, tissue remaining in dinosaur bones is far more consistent with an age of thousands of years. While this is contrary to popular teachings, science is driven by discoveries that challenge the status quo of our understanding and open doors to new conclusions. Dismissing data that does not fit with current thinking always has the potential to be a “science stopper”—freezing the state of knowledge on a specific subject. It also can discourage critical analysis of accepted ideas, the very antithesis of the scientific process. 1/1/2020 18

19. Are Dinosaur Proteins Virtually Immortal?恐龙蛋白质几乎不朽？ • “While evolutionists struggle to explain the persistence of dinosaur tissue in the fossil record, the presence of this tissue is evidence of a recent burial of the dinosaur bones. Degradation studies contradict claims that proteins could survive for millions of years inside a buried fossil. On the other hand, these protein decay studies are fully consistent with the conclusion that these fossils are only a few thousand years old.” • Thank God for the contribution of Dr. Anderson. 1/1/2020 19

20. Gloria Deo 愿荣耀归上帝 1/1/2020 20

21. Sermons From Science -- Jan 2018科学布道-- 2018年1月 Sermons from Science have been published in both YouTube under the name “Pastor Chui” and their PowerPoint slides and corresponding videos in the website http://ChristCenterGospel.org since 2011. Just type “Pastor Chui” in Google Search. The contents of this presentation were taken from different sources and in the Internet. May God have all the glory. Pastor Chui http://ChristCenterGospel.org ckchui1@yahoo.com 1/1/2020 21

22. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • The Answers in Genesis website published the article on December 16, 2017. I now quote the article below: • “Explore the 12 Arguments Evolutionists Should Avoid series to prepare yourself with answers to common yet faulty assertions by evolutionists. • “The irony, of course, is that for centuries prior to Darwin’s publication of On the Origin of Species, the majority of scientists found the opposite to be true: the “evidence” supported creation. What changed? Not the evidence. Rather, the starting point changed (i.e., moving from the Bible, God’s Word, to humanism, man’s word). Creationists continue to see everything in light of God’s Word and all evidence as supporting the biblical account. In reality, there is no “neutral” starting point; everyone—whether they acknowledge it or not—interprets the “facts” according to a particular way of thinking (i.e., worldview).1 1/1/2020 22

23. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • “Creationists could respond to this argument with their own “overwhelming evidence” in support of creation, such as this impressive list. However, creationists must beware of building their case on the basis of evidence alone. The common assertion, “The evidence speaks for itself,” is a logical fallacy of reification. A fossil dinosaur won’t speak up and tell its age. So unless God allows the rocks to cry out (Luke 19:40), no one can claim that the evidence argued and won the case. It isn’t about the amount of evidence each side can dig up in its favor. Since both sides interpret the evidence according to their opposing worldviews, the debate centers on which side correctly interprets the evidence. 1/1/2020 23

24. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • A worldview is how a person views the world based on his presuppositions (starting beliefs), which in turn affect the way he behaves. Two of the major worldviews today are the biblical worldview and secular humanism. Dictionary.com defines humanism as “any system or mode of thought or action in which human interests, values, and dignity predominate.” This sounds noble, but secular humanism excludes God and His Word. Instead, secular humanists rely on man’s reasoning alone with beliefs such as naturalism, evolution, relative truth, and cultural or individual morality. Voddie Baucham contrasts secular humanism and the biblical worldview through five different elements:2 1/1/2020 24

25. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” 1/1/2020 25

26. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • “According to Baucham, Secular Humanism (and its component, Naturalistic Materialism) is based on the assumption that matter is all there is, and therefore all knowledge is derived from the study of the universe through reason and the scientific method. Christian Theism, on the other hand, holds that God created the world and everything in it; therefore, our pursuit of knowledge must balance reason and revelation.3 1/1/2020 26

27. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • “A secular humanist may paint himself as neutral and challenge the creationist to leave the Bible out of a discussion of the evidence. But there is no neutral ground. Secular humanism is a worldview based on man’s opinion, whereas the biblical worldview is based on the infallible Word of God. So if an evolutionist claims “religion” is clouding the creationist’s view, the creationist must show how secular humanism blinds the evolutionist to the truth (Ephesians 4:18). 1/1/2020 27

28. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • “First of all, the secular humanist has no basis to argue his case because reasoning would be meaningless and futile in a naturalistic world without abstract laws, like the laws of logic. Second, absolute moral standards against wrongs like stealing or murder don’t apply in a world of the survival of the fittest. Third, the practice of science presupposes that the universe is orderly and predictable, following the laws of nature, which cannot be explained in a random chance universe made up only of the material. 1/1/2020 28

29. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • “Therefore, in order to reason, expect absolute moral standards, and practice science, secular humanists must stand on biblical ground. AiG calls this the ultimate proof of creation. The laws of logic, absolute morality, and uniformity of nature stem from the immutable Creator who upholds the universe through orderly physical laws and created man with a conscience and intellectual capacity (i.e., in His image). 1/1/2020 29

30. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • “People who understand and trust God’s special revelation of the Bible can correctly interpret God’s general revelation of the universe and marvel at how the evidence—from DNA and coral reefs to mountain ranges and the solar system—displays God’s glory (Psalm 19). Furthermore, the Bible shows how to interpret the evidence of death and disaster as results of the Curse and the Flood and as a warning of God’s judgment to come on sinners. But the Bible also gives hope of a new, perfect heaven and earth for sinners who turn to Jesus—the Creator, Redeemer, and Lord: 1/1/2020 30

31. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • “’Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.’ 1/1/2020 31

32. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • “’But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 1/1/2020 32

33. “Overwhelming Evidence in All Fields of Science Supports Evolution”“科学的各个领域的压倒性证据支持进化” • “’Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:3–13)’ • Thank God for Answers in Genesis. 1/1/2020 33

34. Gloria Deo 愿荣耀归上帝 1/1/2020 34

35. Sermons From Science -- Jan 2018科学布道-- 2018年1月 Sermons from Science have been published in both YouTube under the name “Pastor Chui” and their PowerPoint slides and corresponding videos in the website http://ChristCenterGospel.org since 2011. Just type “Pastor Chui” in Google Search. The contents of this presentation were taken from different sources and in the Internet. May God have all the glory. Pastor Chui http://ChristCenterGospel.org ckchui1@yahoo.com 1/1/2020 35

36. Naughty or Nice?调皮还是好看？ • The Answers in Genesis website published an article by Avery Foley on December 20, 2017. I now quote his article below: • “The familiar holiday song about jolly ol’ Santa Claus rings out to remind children not to pout or whine because • “He’s making a list,“And checking it twice.“Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.“Santa Claus is coming to town. • “He sees you when you’re sleeping.“He knows when you’re awake.“He knows if you’ve been bad or good.“So be good for goodness’ sake!1 1/1/2020 36

37. Naughty or Nice?调皮还是好看？ • “Believing that Santa is watching their every move and judging their actions to see if they deserve gifts may be an effective way of getting children to behave during the holiday season, but what message is this sending? • “Be Good for Goodness’ Sake? • “This popular song portrays the portly North-pole dwelling St. Nick as omnipresent and omniscient—he somehow knows what every child is doing everywhere in the world. Of course, those are attributes that belong to God alone. 1/1/2020 37

38. Naughty or Nice?调皮还是好看？ • “It also urges children to “be good for goodness’ sake!” But some vague idea of “goodness’ sake” or the hope of reaping a reward from Santa (or anyone else) should never be our motivation for being good. And who defines what “good” is in this context anyway? • “We should be “good”—as defined by God in his Word—because we love our Heavenly Father and do not want to sin against him, and because he has commanded us to be perfect as he is (Matthew 5:48). 1/1/2020 38

39. Naughty or Nice?调皮还是好看？ • “Scout Elves Reporting to Santa • “But maybe Santa is not omniscient or omnipresent. According to the folks selling the popular “Elf on the Shelf,” Santa uses magical scout elves to “help Santa manage his naughty and nice lists by reporting back to him at the North Pole nightly.” These scout elves operate on the same principle as Santa—be good and you get gifts. But, according to the “Elf on the Shelf” marketing song, every child is “good” and, as long as you are trying, you’re in the clear: • “You [the Elf] watch as I try to do as I should, at night you tell Santa the news is all good. 1/1/2020 39

40. Naughty or Nice?调皮还是好看？ • “The World’s Philosophy • “The philosophy and message behind the idea of a man who delivers gifts to “nice” kids and coal to “naughty” kids—and the accompanying idea that everyone really is “good” and deserves gifts (does any parent really put coal in their “naughty” child’s stocking?)—fits perfectly with the world’s philosophy. • “Every man-based religion operates on the principle that if you do certain things you will be rewarded. • “Every man-based religion operates on the principle that if you do certain things you will be rewarded. It’s all based on what we do. Earning gifts (whether physical, emotional, or monetary) is our default mode of thinking. We also like to think that we’re basically good, that our good works outweigh our bad ones, and that we deserve good things. 1/1/2020 40

41. Naughty or Nice?调皮还是好看？ • “A Message Upside-Down to the Gospel • “But this is completely upside-down compared to the gospel. The Christian message is one that starts with bad news in Genesis. We’re all descended from Adam, the first man, who rebelled against God. Because of his sin nature that we inherit—and our own sin (Romans 5:12)—we’re all born into and continue in rebellion against God. We are sinners and deserve God’s judgment and the wages of sin—death (Romans 6:23). • “And we can’t do anything about our condition! Our good works won’t save us. Compared with God’s righteousness and holiness, all the “good” things we do are just “filthy rags” in his sight (Isaiah 64:6, NKJV). Because death is the penalty for sin, we needed a perfect man to take our penalty. 1/1/2020 41

42. Naughty or Nice?调皮还是好看？ • “That person can only be Jesus Christ, the God-man, a descendant of Adam and our relative (1 Corinthians 15:22). Jesus stepped into history, lived a perfect life, died on the Cross, taking our penalty of death for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), and rose victorious over death. Now he offers the gift of eternal life and freedom from slavery to sin to all who will put their faith and trust in him (Romans 10:9). And it has nothing to do with what we do—but it has everything to do with God’s mercy to us. • “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9) • “Our natural way of thinking about this is upside-down and backward to the way that God works. The greatest gift of all, salvation through Jesus Christ, is a free gift that we do not deserve and is given simply because of God’s amazing grace to us. Now that’s good news! 1/1/2020 42

43. Naughty or Nice?调皮还是好看？ • “A Matter of Conscience • “Of course, whether a family includes Santa or elves in their family holiday traditions is a matter of conscience and Christian liberty, since the Bible says nothing about Christmas or Santa. But, as parents and grandparents, we should be wary of the message we’re sending to our children or grandchildren by including Santa Claus in our family celebration of Christ’s incarnation. • “We assume our good works earn us favor with God, but they don’t. 1/1/2020 43

44. Naughty or Nice?调皮还是好看？ • “We should never buy into the world’s philosophy that you have to earn your gifts. We must teach our children the true nature of God’s mercy and grace and how it runs counter to what we as humans would expect, then compare that to what the philosophy of Santa teaches. We assume our good works earn us favor with God, but they don’t. As believers, we have favor with God because we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness. Our good works are an outpouring of our love for God (John 14:15) and are the physical reality of our salvation (James 2:14), enabled by our benevolent God himself (Philippians 2:13). • “This year, as you remember and celebrate the incarnation of Christ, may you be moved by the amazing grace and mercy of our Savior, who does not treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10), but has given us grace upon grace (John 1:16).” • Thank God for the contribution of Avery Foley. 1/1/2020 44

45. Gloria Deo 愿荣耀归上帝 1/1/2020 45

46. Sermons From Science -- Jan 2018科学布道-- 2018年1月 Sermons from Science have been published in both YouTube under the name “Pastor Chui” and their PowerPoint slides and corresponding videos in the website http://ChristCenterGospel.org since 2011. Just type “Pastor Chui” in Google Search. The contents of this presentation were taken from different sources and in the Internet. May God have all the glory. Pastor Chui http://ChristCenterGospel.org ckchui1@yahoo.com 1/1/2020 46

47. Talking to Your Pastor About Christmas Fallacies与你的牧师谈圣诞谬论 • The Answers in Genesis website published an article by Scot Chadwick on December 21, 2017. I now quote his article below: • “In many ways, Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year.”1 With special gatherings with family and friends, we share in God’s bounty and love as expressed in the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ. But the message of Christmas carols, stories, and movies can be rife with words and deeds that obfuscate or distract from the truth of Scripture. Even more disappointing and alarming is when Christmas sermons present unbiblical ideas or challenge clear teaching from God’s Word. Since even the Apostle Paul’s teaching was subject to evaluation, according to the Bible (Acts 17:11), we should also scrutinize the teaching of today’s church leaders. In fact, James warns, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). James justifies his warning by saying, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (verse 2). 1/1/2020 47

48. Talking to Your Pastor About Christmas Fallacies与你的牧师谈圣诞谬论 • “For a variety of reasons, a pastor may sometimes “stumble in what he says.” For this reason Paul encouraged Timothy to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16). Paul also admonished Timothy to “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). While evaluating his own teaching himself, a wise and humble man will accept instruction from a reproving friend, as the Scripture says, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:9). The big picture here is that we want God’s Word to go forth as clearly as possible through his human agents. 1/1/2020 48

49. Talking to Your Pastor About Christmas Fallacies与你的牧师谈圣诞谬论 • “What Teaching Is This? • “Imagine being in a church meeting and your pastor just said something that didn’t seem quite right according to the Scripture. What kind of error was it? There are varying categories of false doctrine ranging from blatantly wrong to improperly dogmatic. The key to determining what kind of teaching it was—and therefore how you should respond—is the Bible, not your own opinion. The following sections portray a few types of potentially troublesome teaching. • “There are varying categories of false doctrine ranging from blatantly wrong to improperly dogmatic. 1/1/2020 49

50. Talking to Your Pastor About Christmas Fallacies与你的牧师谈圣诞谬论 • “Contradicting Clear Biblical Doctrine • “We hope that you would not be exposed to teaching that directly contradicts the testimony of Scripture. Sadly, though, Scripture gave clear warning that false teachers would infiltrate the church and teach things they should not teach (Acts 20:29–30). Did your pastor dismiss the virgin birth of Jesus or deny the humanity or deity of Christ? This is false doctrine that should not be accepted and must be addressed strongly and immediately. Even Peter was publicly and directly reprimanded by Paul when he was acting contrary to the gospel of grace (Galatians 2:14). 1/1/2020 50